Chi Running-anyone tried it?

sunnybear39
sunnybear39 Posts: 60 Member
edited November 1 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone tried Chi Running? I have been exploring different ways to prevent injury as I love to run but have had problems with shin splints, runner's knee, and calf pain. I got fitted with great shoes, still calf pain. I think my form is an issue so I have been experimenting with this. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    I personally don't run Chi, but know friends who do and swear by it.

    I converted to Pose running many years ago when I realised that my running style (e.g. heel striking) was what was causing my recurring injuries, so I did a very slow conversion to forefoot running. It's not something you can do over night. It's a slow process but worth it in the end.

    The Pose website has a lot of good resources.
    http://www.posetech.com/pose_method/
  • sunnybear39
    sunnybear39 Posts: 60 Member
    thanks for the info I will look into it :smile: :happy:
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    Don't forget about You Tube. There is great stuff on there about Pose & Chi.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    It is essentially the same thing as Pose running or Good Form Running.

    It does work and in my case it cured all knee pain.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Running in the snow in winter was the best thing i ever did for my running. It forced me to shorten my stride and adopt a mid foot strike (the alternative was being flat on my butt).....other than a non-running knee issue I've been injury free for 3 years now.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I read it and adopted the mid-foot strike, which changed my running life, and forward lean, but I think I may need to re-read the finer points.
  • sunnybear39
    sunnybear39 Posts: 60 Member
    I read it and adopted the mid-foot strike, which changed my running life, and forward lean, but I think I may need to re-read the finer points.

    I noticed that my legs are less tired and with the forward lean going up hills is a lot easier! I have some lower back pain though, maybe I'm leaning too much!
  • ze_hombre
    ze_hombre Posts: 377 Member
    I read it and adopted the mid-foot strike, which changed my running life, and forward lean, but I think I may need to re-read the finer points.

    I noticed that my legs are less tired and with the forward lean going up hills is a lot easier! I have some lower back pain though, maybe I'm leaning too much!

    Never lean with your back, the lean should come from the ankle. That is almost certainly why you have back pain.

    The owner of the local running store here in town is a certified Chi Running instructor. I incorporated Chi running styles when I was a couple weeks into C25K and it made a huge difference. Before that I was always hurting something after a run and was about to give up. I started the midfoot strike and the other posture tips and also switched to minimalist shoes. Since then I have been injury free and am up to 10 miles. I always recommend Chi Running to new runners, its a joint saver.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I started re-reading the book last night. I'd forgotten how much the mystic bit annoyed me (I missed the whole "chi" bit I guess!). JUST TELL ME HOW TO RUN, DAMN IT!
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    Well that's Pose.... Chi without the hippie stuff...
  • sunnybear39
    sunnybear39 Posts: 60 Member
    I started re-reading the book last night. I'd forgotten how much the mystic bit annoyed me (I missed the whole "chi" bit I guess!). JUST TELL ME HOW TO RUN, DAMN IT!


    So funny! It isn't until like, chapter 4 you actually get to find out how to do it lol!
  • 1capybara
    1capybara Posts: 162 Member
    bump TTT :smile:
    useful stuff in this topic - for ex., when running on the treadmill, adjust the angle to where u feel like your falling forward,
    but do it gradually because calf pain can maybe result for 2-3 weeks. the end result, less stress on bones and muscles, etc.........
  • 1capybara
    1capybara Posts: 162 Member
    well i tried it and my lower back hurts a little but not too bad.
    what i dont understand is "dont lean with you back, lean from your ankles"
    im not sure I know how to do that ?!?!
  • zanyzana
    zanyzana Posts: 248 Member
    I blew out my calf muscle a couple of times while learning POSE running. It bloody hurt. Now I don't run at all. I never got a runner's high, but despite my current profile pic, I love cycling. You go further and it's way more fun... But each to their own. Just make sure you stretch your calves regularly as they get more of a workout than heel striking running styles.
  • cbferriss
    cbferriss Posts: 122
    I just started the Chi Running book...in audiobook form... while I ran today. :) I was glad to see this topic. Just relaxing and leading with my bellie, letting my legs go behind seemed to make the run easier. I'll have to look up POSE before I get to the hippy grooviness. Thanks for posting.
  • BetterMike
    BetterMike Posts: 131 Member
    I was running on a local trail last week and I passed two girls in their twenties. On the way back I saw them again and one of them asks me "Are you Chi running?" I say, "Nope, I don't even know what that is".

    The rest of the run I spent thinking is Chi running something for old fat people who run flailing around? Mostly though I know I have a very upright, bouncing up and down style (very inefficient).

    Well it gave me something to think about other than how tired I was :)
  • sunnybear39
    sunnybear39 Posts: 60 Member
    If you have calf pain then the form is still incorrect. From what I read, your feet should "peel up" from the pavement in a way- toes last- you practice this walking so you can do it running- and that causes your calves to stay much more relaxed.

    I'm going to a chi running workshop in Chicago this weekend and if anyone is interested will post more on what I learned. :glasses:
  • 1capybara
    1capybara Posts: 162 Member
    If you have calf pain then the form is still incorrect. From what I read, your feet should "peel up" from the pavement in a way- toes last- you practice this walking so you can do it running- and that causes your calves to stay much more relaxed.

    I'm going to a chi running workshop in Chicago this weekend and if anyone is interested will post more on what I learned. :glasses:
    yes, PLEASE post what u learn from that chi running workshop !!!
  • runner_girl83
    runner_girl83 Posts: 553 Member
    edited September 2015
    Bump
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